Therapeutic device



MayJ17, 1966 T. A. DIXON THERAPEUTIC DEVICE E Sheets-Sheet .1

Filed April 9, 1965 INVENTOR TED A. DIXON WWW/W ATTORNEY May-.117, 1966 'r. A. DIXON THERAPEUTIC DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9, 1965 FIGS I NV ENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,251,197 THERAPEUTIQ DEVICE Ted A. Dixon, Rocky River, Ohio, assignor to Continental Hospital Industries, Incorporated, Lakewood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 446,999 14 Claims. (Cl. 62-299) The present invention relates to a therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure, and particularly to a therapeutic device having a cooling chamber with air inlet and air outlet connections, a blower for establishing a flow of air through the cooling chamber, and a cooling coil located in the cooling chamber and which is operable to cool the air flowing through the chamber.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved therapeutic device for circulating cooling air and having a cooling chamber in which a cooling coil is located for cooling air flowing through the chamber and wherein the cooling coil may be readily and completely removed from the cooling chamber for cleaning purposes.

A further object of the present invention is the pro-. vision of a new and improved therapeutic device for circulating cooling air and having a cooling chamber and a cooling coil, through which a refrigerant flows, located in the cooling chamber and which is removable from the cooling chamber by disconnecting the refrigerant conduits connected with the cooling coil without pumping down" the refrigerant conduits and without any loss of the refrigerant or entry of air into the refrigerant conduits.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure and having a cooling chamber in which a cooling coil, through which a refrigerant flows, is located for cooling air flowing through a chamber and an inlet refrigerant conduit and an outlet refrigerant conduit connected with a coil, each including a non-inclusion type coupling permitting disconnection and reconnection of the conduits Without loss of refrigerant or entry of air into the conduits.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved therapeutic device including a cooling chamber through which air is circulated and a cooling coil located in the cooling chamber for cooling the air flowing therethrough and wherein the cooling coil is mounted on a removable wall portion defining the chamber and is completely removable from the cooling chamber upon removal of the wall portion of the cooling chamber and upon disconnection of the refrigerant conduits leading to and from the cooling coil.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure and including a cooling chamber through which air is circulated by a fan and a cooling coil located in the cooling chamber for cooling the air circulating therethrough and wherein the cooling coil and fan are each mounted on separate removable wall portions defining the cooling chamber and are removable from the cooling chamber when the wall portions to which they are connected are removed and when removed permit ready access into the cooling chamber for cleaning thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which:

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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a therapeutic device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a portion of the therapeutic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating portions of the therapeutic device of FIG. 1 in disassembled condition;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the therapeutic device shown in FIG. 2, taken approximately along the section line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the therapeutic device shown in FIG. 2 and similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the parts in a different position;

FIG. 6 is a partial View of a therapeutic device of modified construction; and

FIG. 7 is a view of the device of FIG. 6 but show ing parts in a different position.

The present invention provides an improved therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure and, specifically, relates to an apparatus for use in hospitals and clinics, etc., for circulating cooling air through a canopy in which a patient is located, such as an oxygen tent. As representing the preferred embodiment of the present inventionFIG. 1 illustrates a therapeutic device 10 for use in the treatment'of patients in a hospital and which is operable to circulate cooling air through an enclosure or canopy, such as an oxygen tent, in which the patient is located.

The therapeutic device 10 includes a frame 11 supported on rollers or wheels 12 for movement from place to place. The therapeutic device 10, in general, includes an air circulating system for circulating air into and through the enclosure or canopy and a cooling system for cooling air prior to its flowing into the enclosure or canopy.

More specifically, the therapeutic device 10 includes a cooling chamber 13 in which air flowing therethrough is cooled. The chamber 13 is defined in part by a main chamber portion 15, a sleeve-like member open at its opposite ends and cylindrical in cross-sectional shape. The cooling chamber 13 is also defined by end Wall members or plates 16 and 17 which are removably secured to the main portion and form the end walls thereof closing oh the open ends of the main chamber portion 15. The

main chamber portion 15 has a plurality of projecting stud members 18 and 19 extending from the opposite ends thereof and which extend through openings in the end plates 16, 17, respectively, and wing nuts 20 cooperate therewith to secure the end plates 16, 17 to the main chamber portion 15 and also permit ready removal of the end plates 16, 17 from the chamber portion 15. The chamber 13, when the end plates 16 and 17 are secured thereto, is completely closed with the exception of an air inlet connection 21 and an air outlet connection 22. which communicate with the atmosphere in the enclosure or canopy and with the chamber 13.

The therapeutic device 10 includes a suitable blower means 25 for circulating air through the canopy and, specifically, draws air from the canopy through the air inlet connection 21 and the cooling chamber 13, and forces the cooled air through the air outlet connection 22 back into the canopy. As is Well understood, oxygen, moisture, etc., may be added to the air as it flows through the chamber, depending upon the needs of the patient being treated. The specific structure for adding such to the air does not form a part of the present invention and will not be described.

The blower means for circulating the air includes a motor 26 and fan blades 27. The fan blades 27 and the motor 26 are supported on the end plate 17 and the motor 26 is located outwardly of the cooling chamber'13 with the fan blades 27 located in the right end portion of the cooling chamber 13, as viewed in FIG. 3. It should be apparent from the description hereinabove, that upon removal of the end plate 17 by release of the wing nuts 20 cooperating with the studs 19, the fan blades 27 are removed from the cooling chamber providing for ready access thereinto from the right, as viewed in FIG. 3.

The air which is circulated by the blower means and which flows from the air inlet 21 through the cooling chamber 13 and out the air outlet 22 into the canopy or enclosure is cooled as it flows through the cooling chamber, as noted above. The air is cooled by means of a cooling coil, generally designated 30, and located in the cooling chamber 13. The cooling coil is of conventional construction and includes tubes or conduits through which a suitable refrigerant flows and cooling fins over which the air flows to effect cooling thereof. The specific detailed construction of the cooling coil 30 does not form a part of the present invention and, therefore, will not be described in detail. It should be noted, however, that the cooling coil 30 is cylindrical in shape and has a generally circular peripheral surface 30a spaced from the inner surface 15a of the main chamber portion 15 which is of a substantially uniform dimension which does not exceed the corresponding dimension of the opening in the end of the chamber portion 15 when the end plate 16 is removed.

The cooling coil 30 is fixedly secured in any suitable manner onto the end plate 16 defining the cooling chamber 13 and because of its size is removable from the chamber 13 through the open end of the main chamber portion 15 when the plate 16 is removed therefrom and in response to removal of the plate 16 therefrom. When the cooling coil 30 is removed from the chamber upon removal of the plate 16, the chamber 13 is readily accessible from the left, as viewed in FIG. 3. Thus, the chamber 13 and coil may be readily cleaned. Moreover, since the plate 17 and fan blades 27 likewise may be removed from the main chamber portion 15, both ends of the main chamber portion 15 are readily accessible for cleaning purposes.

As noted above, a suitable refrigerant flows through the cooling coil 30, and the therapeutic device 10 includes, as best shown in FIG. 2, a refrigerant inlet conduit means connected with the coil 30 and generally designated 31 and a refrigerant outlet conduit means 32 connected with the coil 30. The refrigerant inlet conduit means 31 ineludes a refrigerant connection 33 for the coil and a refrigerant conduit 34. The conduit 34 is connected with-a condenser 37 in the refrigerant system. The refrigerant outlet conduit means 32 comprises a refrigerant outlet connection 40 for the coil 30 and a refrigerant conduit 41. The conduit 41 is connected with a compressor 44 in the refrigerant system. The compressor 44 is connected with the condenser 37 by a refrigerant conduit 45. The compressor 44 and the condenser 37 are conventional refrigerant system components and will not be described in detail herein. Suitable valve members may be located in said conduits but form no part of the present invention and thus are not described. From the above, it should be apparent that the therapeutic device 10 includes a closed refrigerant system including the cooling coil 30 for cooling the air flowing through the chamber 13.

As the air flows through the canopy or'enclosure, it picks up dirt, etc., which is deposited on the cooling coil' 30 and walls of the cooling chamber 13 as the air flows therethrough. This reduces the efiiciency of the thera peutic device, and periodically the cooling coil 30 and chamber 13 must be cleaned. When it is desired to clean the cooling coil 30 and the cooling chamber 13, the plate 16 is removed from the cooling chamber 13 and the cooling coil 30 is completely removed from the chamber 13. The fan 27 may likewise be removed from the cooling chamber 13 by removal of the end plate 17 to further facilitate cleaning of the chamber 13 and cleaning of the fan 27.

4 In accordance wvith the present invention, the cooling coil 30 may be completely and readily removed from the cooling chamber 13 for cleaning purposes and without crimping the refrigerant conduits and without air entering the refrigerant conduits or loss of the refrigerant from the conduits. To this end, the refrigerant inlet conduit 31 and the refrigerant outlet conduit 32 each includes a noninclusion coupling means, generally designated and 51, respectively. The coupling means 50, 51 provide for disconnection and reconnection of the refrigerant conduits with refrigerant throughout the system including the cooling coil 30 and without loss of refrigerant or entry of air into the conduits. The coupling means 50 connects the conduit 34 with the refrigerant inlet connection 33, and the coupling 51 connects the refrigerant conduit 41 with the refrigerant outlet connection 40. Each of the couplings 50, 51 are identical in construction and thus only the coupling 51 will be described in detail hereinbelow, it being understood that the other is similar thereto. The non-inclusion coupling 51, best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, includes a first coupling .part 55 connected with the refrigerant outlet connection 40 and a second coupling part 56 connected with the refrigerant conduit 41. The coupling part 55 carries a valve member 57, and the coupling part 56 carries a valve member 58. The valve members 57, 58 are biased to a closed position, best shown in FIG. 5, and are moved to an open position permitting flow of refrigerant therethrough in response to connection of the coupling parts. The valve members are moved to their closed position in response to disconnection of the coupling parts and, when closed, prevent entry of air into the refrigerant conduits.

The coupling part 55 includes a body portion 60 with a passage therethrough and a lug portion 61 projecting inwardly of the body 60 into the passage. The portion 61 slidably supports a valve stem 62 connected with the valve member 57. A spring member 63 is located in the passage in the body portion 60 and at one end engages the lug portion 61 and at the other end thereof engages a shoulder. 65 on the valve 57 to bias the valve 57, or, more specifically, the seal 57a thereon, into engagement with the valve seat 66 formed on the body 60 when the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 5.

The coupling part 56 includes a body portion 70 having a bore 71 therein. A lug portion 72 projects inwardly of the bore 71 and fixedly supports a stem 73 of a valve seat 74 which projects along the bore 71 and toward the valve head 57. A spring member 75 is interposed between the lug portion 72 and a valve member 58 which is in the form of a slidable sleeve located in the bore 71 and which is biased by the spring 75 into engagement with a shoulder portion 78 of the valve seat 74 and which engages the shoulder portion 73 when the valve parts are in the position shown in FIG. 5 or completely disconnected.

The valve parts 55, 56 are connected by means of a union member 80 which has a flange portion 81 which engages in a groove 82 in the body portion 70 of the valve part 56. The union member 80 is threaded internally and cooperates with external threads formed on the body portion 60 of the coupling part 55, and has a plurality of flats on the outer periphery for engagement with a wrench or suitable tool for turning the union member 80. When the union member 80 is turned onto the threads on the external portion of the body 60 of the coupling part 55, the coupling parts 55 and 56 are drawn together and are held connected by the union 80.

The operation of the coupling 51 should be clear from the description hereinabove. When the coupling parts are completely disconnected, the valve sleeve member 58' 66 closing the conduit 40 from communication with the atmosphere and preventing loss of refrigerant therefrom.

When it is desired to connect the coupling parts 55 and 56, the outermost surface 86a of the valve seat or stem 74 engages the outermost surface 81:: of the seal 57a of the valve member 57 with a surface area contact forcing any air which may be located therebetween to be expelled from the area therebetween. Moreover, due to the construction of the valve members 57, 58 and the manner of cooperation with their valve seats is such that when the parts 55, 56 are initially connected, no air is trapped therebetween. Thus, the coupling 51 is a noninclusion type coupling because when the coupling parts 55, 56 are connected, no air is trapped therein which may find its way into the conduits connected with the cou pling parts. The union member 80 when initially turned connects the coupling part 55 with the coupling part 56 and after a few turns, the parts 55, 56 are connected as illustrated in FIG. 5 and the valve members 57, 58 are not yet open. Upon further turning of the union member 86 onto the threads on the external portion of the body member 60, the coupling parts 55, 56 are moved closer together, and specifically the body portions 66) and 70 thereof are moved toward each other. As the valve bodies 74) and 6% move toward each other, the lug portion 72 and the stem 73 and the valve seat 74 move as a unit away from the valve member 58 effecting comp-ression of the spring '75. This movement forces the valve member 57 away from the valve seat 66 into an open position and compresses the spring 63. The valve members 57, 58 then move into their open position shown in FIG. 4 wherein refrigerant may flow through the lines 40, 41.

From the above, it can be readily seen that upon disconnection of the coupling 51 and the coupling 50, no refrigerant will be lost from the refrigerant conduit means 31, 32. The wing nuts may then be removed from the studs 18, 19 and the cooling coil 31 completely removed from the cooling chamber 13 upon removal of the plate 16 therefrom and the fan blades 27 may likewise be removed from the cooling chamber 13 upon'removal of the plate 17. The cooling coil may be readily cleaned and likewise the cooling chamber 13 both ends. Moreover, the fan 27 may be easily cleaned, since it is removed from the chamber. The device may be reassembled by merely placing the cooling coil 30 back into the cooling chamber and the fan 27 back into the cooling chamber 13 and tightening of the wing nuts holding the plates 16, 17, respectively, thereon. It will then be necessary only to connect the couplings 5t and 51 and since these are non-inclusion type couplings, their connection can be effected without the loss of refrigerant from the refrigerant lines.

In view of the fact that the cooling coil 30 may be readily removed from the cooling chamber 15, the cooling coil may be cleaned frequently by untrained personnel in the hospital without requiring a skilled maintenance man or repairman to constantly clean the cooling coil. Thus, the therapeutic device may be cleaned more frequently, and thus its operation will be more satisfactory and less costly.

The modification of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is similar in all respects to the device described hereinabove with the exception that the modification shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 rather than utilizing the wing nuts 20 with the cooperating studs 18 for securing the plate 16 on the end of the main chamber portion 56, a clamp member, generally designated 96 is utilized for this purpose. The clamp member 90 is of a generally flexible material and is split with end portions 91 and 92 spaced apart. The end portion 91 has a handle member 93 pivotally connected therewith and a link member 94 is connected to the handle and to the end portion 92 of the clamp member 90.

' the cooling chamber.

With the handle member 93 in the position shown in FIG. 6, the clamp member is in an open position and the end plate 16 may be removed from the main chamber portion 15 and the cooling coil 30 may be removed from By movement of the handle from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7, the link member 94 draws the end. portion 92 of the clamp member toward the end portion 91 of the clamp member and clamps the end plate 16 of the cooling chamber to the main chamber portion 13. In order to facilitate this clamping, the main chamber portion 13 may be provided with a ridge or the like and the clamp portion Q0 may be provided with a flange which engages one side of the ridge and another flange which engages the outside of the plate 16 so as to hold the plate 16 on the main chamber portion. It should be apparent that when utilizing the clamp member 90 for securing the end plate 16 on the main chamber portion 15 to remove the coil from the cooling chamber, it is necessary only to raise the handle 93 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 6, thereby releasing the clamp 90 and permitting removal of the plate 16 from the main chamber portion. After removal, reassembly of the plate 16 with the main chamber 15 may be effected by placing the plate 16 into position on the main chamber portion and positioning the clamp 90, as shown in FIG. 6 and moving the handle 93 thereof into the position shown in FIG. 7 to effect the locking engagement of the plate 16 to the main chamber portion 15.

Applicant has made a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention hereinabove, and it should be apparent that certain modifications, changes, and adaptations may be made therein by those skilled in the art to which it relates and it is hereby intended to cover all such modifications, changes, and adaptations coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure comprising a cooling chamber defined in part by a removable wall portion and having an air inlet and an air outlet which are adapted to communicate with the atmosphere in the enclosure, blower means for establishing ,a flow of air from said air inlet through said cooling chamber and air outlet and providing for the circulation of air through said enclosure, a cooling coil located in said cooling chamber and through which a refrigerant flows and operable to cool the air flowing through said cooling chamber and completely removable from said cooling chamber through the opening provided therein when said removable wall portion is removed, a refrigerant inlet conduit means connected with said coil, a refrigerant outlet conduit means connected with said coil, and means in each of said conduits providing for disconnection thereof and reconnection thereof with refrigerant therein and blocking loss of refrigerant therefrom and entry of air thereto whereby said. conduits may be readily disconnected for removal of said cooling coil from said chamber.

2. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure comprising a cooling chamber defined in part by a removable wall portion and having an air inlet and an air outlet which are adapted to communicate with the atmosphere in the enclosure, blower means for establishing a flow of air from said air inlet through said cooling chamber and air outlet and providing for the circulation of air through said enclosure, a cooling coil located in said cooling chamber and through which a refrigerant flows and operable to cool the air flowing through said cooling chamber and completely removable from said cooling chamber through the opening provided therein when said removable wall portion is removed, a refrigerant inlet conduit means connected with said coil, a refrigerant outlet conduit means connected with said coil, each of said conduit means including a coupling connecting two portions of said respective conduit means, each of said couplings including a first coupling part connected with one of said portions and supporting a first valve member and a second coupling part connected with the other of said portions and supporting a second valve member, and means for connecting said first and second coupling parts and effecting opening of said first and second valve members when said first and second coupling parts are connected and closing of said first and second valve members in response to disconnection thereof.

3. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air .through an enclosurecomprising a cooling chamber defined in part by a removable wall portion and having an air inlet and an air outlet which are adapted to communicate with the atmosphere in the enclosure, blower means for establishing a fiow of air from said air inlet through said cooling chamber and air outlet and providing for the circulation of air through said enclosure, a cooling coil located in said cooling chamber and through which a refrigerant flows and operable to cool the air flowing through said cooling chamber and completely removable from said cooling chamber through the opening provided therein when said removable Wall portion is removed, a refrigerant inlet conduit means connected with said coil, a refrigerant outlet conduit means connected with said coil, each of said conduit means including a non-inclusion coupling connecting two portions of said conduit means, each of said couplings including a first coupling part connected with one of said portions and supporting a first valve member and a second coupling part connected with the other of said portions and supporting a second valve member, and means for connecting said first and second coupling parts and effecting opening of said first and sec ond valve members when said first and second coupling parts are connected and closing of said first and second valve members thereof in response to disconnection thereof, so that said inlet and outlet conduit means may be disconnected and said cooling coil completely removed from said cooling chamber Without the loss of refrigerant from said inlet and outlet conduit means or the entry of air into said inlet and outlet conduit means.

4. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure comprising a cooling chamber defined in part by a removable wall portion and having an air inlet and an air outlet which are adapted to communicate with the atmosphere in the enclosure, blower means for establishing a flow of air from said air inlet through said cooling chamber and air outlet and providing for the circulation of air through said enclosure, a cooling coil located in said cooling chamber and through which a refrigerant flows and operable to cool the air flowing through said cooling chamber and completely removable from said cooling chamber through the opening provided therein when said removable wall portion is removed, a refrigerant supply conduit means connected with said coil, a refrigerant return conduit means connected with said coil, each of said conduit means including a noninclusion coupling connecting two portions of said conduit means, each of said couplings including a first coupling part connected with one of said portions and supporting a first valve member and a second coupling part connected with the other of said portions and supporting a second valve member, and means for connecting said first and second coupling parts and effecting opening of said first and second valve members when said first and second coupling parts are connected and closing of said first and second valve members thereof in re sponse to disconnection thereof, said first and second valve members have a surface area contact when initially connected and prior to opening thereof so that no air is trapped therebetween, so that said inlet and outlet conduits may be disconnected and said cooling coil completely removed from said cooling chamber without the loss of refrigerant from said conduit means or the entry of air into said conduit means.

5. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure comprising a cooling chamber defined in part by a removable wall portion and having an air inlet and an air outlet which are adapted to communicate with the atmosphere in the enclosure, blower means for establishing a flow of air from said air inlet through said air outlet and providing for the circulation of air through said enclosure, a cooling coil supported on said removable wall portion of said cooling chamber and located in said cooling chamber, said cooling coil in cluding refrigerant conduits through which a refrigerant flows and operable to cool the air flowing through said cooling chamber and completely removable from said cooling chamber through the opening provided therein when said removable wall portion is removed and in response to removal of said removable wall portion a refrigerant inlet conduit means connected with said coil, a refrigerant outlet conduit means connected with said coil, each of said conduit means including a non-inclusion coupling connecting two portions of said conduit means, each of said couplings including a first coupling part connected with one of said portions and supporting a first valve member and a second coupling part connected with the other of said portions and supporting a second valve member, and means for connecting first and second coupling parts and effecting opening of said first and second valve members when said first and second coupling parts are connected and closing of said first and second valve members thereof in response to disconnection thereof, said first and second valve members have a surface area contact when initially connected and prior to opening thereof so that no air is trapped therebetween, so that said inlet and outlet conduit means may be connected and disconnected and said cooling coil completely removed from said cooling chamber without the loss of refrigerant from said conduit means or the entry of air into said conduit means.

6. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure as defined in claim 5 wherein said cooling chamber is cylindrical in shape and said removable wall portion comprises one end wall of said cylindrically shaped cooling chamber which is secured to another portion thereof and when removed therefrom effects removal of the cooling coil through the open end of the cooling chamber.

7. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure as defined in claim 6 wherein said removable wall portion is secured to said another portion by a plurality of studs and cooperating wing nuts which are located outwardly of said chamber and accessible from outwardly thereof.

8. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure as defined in claim 7 wherein said removable wall portion is secured to said another portion by clamp means for clamping the removable wall portion to said another portion and including a single handle releasable to release the clamp means to permit removal of said wall portion from said another portion.

9. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure as defined in claim 5 wherein said blower means comprises fan blades located in said cooling chamber and a motor for rotating said fan blades and said motor and fan blades are supported on another removable wall portion of said cooling chamber.

10. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure as defined in claim 6 wherein said blower means comprises fan blades located in the cooling chamber and a motor for rotating said fan blades and which are mounted on the other end wall of said cylindrically shapedcooling chamber and means for removably securing said other end wall to said annular chamber portion for removal therefrom whereby both end walls of said cylindrically shaped chamber may be removed with said coil and fan blades being removed from said cooling chamber upon removal of the end walls thereof.

11. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure comprising a cooling chamber defined by a main sleeve-like chamber portion open at its opposite ends and a pair of end plates closing the opposite ends of said main chamber portion, said main chamber portion having an air inlet and an air outlet which are adapted to communicate with the atmosphere in the enclosure, fan blades located in said chamber for establishing a flow of air from said air inlet through said cool ing chamber and air outlet and supported on one end plate of said chamber, a cooling coil located in said cooling chamber and connected to and supported by the other end plate of said chamber, said cooling coil including refrigerant conduit means through which a refrigerant flows and operable to cool the air flowing through said cooling chamber and completely removable from said cooling-chamber through the open end thereof upon removal of said another end plate, and means for removably connecting said end plates to effect removal thereof and removal of said cooling coil and fan blades from said cooling chamber in response to removal of said end plates.

12. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for securing the end plates to said main chamber portion comprises studs and wing nuts which are accessible from the outside of the chamber.

13. A therapeutic device for circulating cooling air through an enclosure as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for removably connecting said other end plate includes clamp means having a handle movable between a release position permitting removal of the end plate and a clamping position wherein the clamp means is operable to secure the end plate in position.

14. A therapeutic device as defined in claim 11 further including a refrigerant supply conduit means connected with said coil, a refrigerant return conduit means connected with said coil, each of said conduit means including a non-inclusion coupling connecting two portions of said conduit means, each of said couplings including a first coupling part connected with one of said portions and supporting a first valve member and a second coupling part connected with the other of said portions and supporting a second valve member, and means for connecting said first and second coupling parts and effecting opening. of said first and second valve members when said first and second coupling parts are connected and closing of said first and second valve members thereof in response to disconnection thereof, said first and second valve members have a surface area contact when initially connected and prior to opening thereof so that no air is trapped therebetween, so that said inlet and outlet conduit may be disconnected and said cooling coil completely removed from said cooling chamber without the loss of refrigerant from said conduit means or the entry of air into said conduit means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,007,288 7/1935 Thomson 62-299 2,243,570 5/1941 Morrison 62-261 2,502,263 3/1950 Lewis 62261 2,518,299 8/1950 Fernandez 62-299 WILLIAM J. WYE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A THERAPEUTIC DEVICE FOR CIRCULATING COOLING AIR THROUGH AN ENCLOSURE COMPRISING A COOLING CHAMBER DEFINED IN PART BY A REMOVABLE WALL PORTION AND HAVING AN AIR INLET AND AN AIR OUTLET WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE ENCLOSURE, BLOWER MEANS FOR ESTABLISHING A FLOW OF AIR FROM SAID AIR INLET THROUGH SAID COOLING CHAMBER AND AIR OUTLET AND PROVIDING FOR THE CIRCULATION OF AIR THROUGH SAID ENCLOSURE, A COOLING COIL LOCATED IN SAID COOLING CHAMBER AND THROUGH WHICH A REFRIGERANT FLOWS AND OPERABLE TO COOL THE AIR FLOWING THROUGH SAID COOLING CHAMBER AND COMPLETELY REMOVABLE FROM SAID COOLING CHAMBER THROUGH THE OPENING PROVIDED THEREIN WHEN SAID REMOVABLE WALL PORTION IS REMOVED, A 